Prayer: Pastor Steve Spencer, First United Methodist Church, gave the invocation.

Minutes: S. Jones made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 3, 2014 Council meeting.Reavis seconded the motion.Motion carried without opposition.

Ordinance 11: Rawlings made a motion to approve Ordinance 11 in the amount of $413,896.Lowery seconded the motion.Motion carried without opposition.

Presentation:

City Employees Utility Clerk Sandi Casey, Santa Fe Lake Caretaker Rod Davis, Sanitation Operator Jesse Hasenfratz, and Sergeant Derek Highbarger were recognized for their 10 years of service with the City of Augusta.

Proclamations:

The Mayor read a Proclamation declaring November 29, 2014 as Small Business Saturday and encouraging all citizens to support our community businesses and restaurants by shopping and dining locally.

Visitors:John Cox 914 Wirth, Charlie Havice, were present representing VFW 6746.Cox stated there are four flag poles on City properties that are not flying flags.Shaw stated he wasn’t aware that some of those poles were there, but that he would check on them.Williams stated some of them may not have lights.Cox stated they fought for that flag and would like to see it fly.

Business:

WWTP Bar Screening: Rawlings made a motion to approve the low bid from Smoky Hill Construction in the amount of $55,745 for the construction and installation of the automatic mechanical bar screen at the wastewater treatment plant.Malone seconded the motion.Motion carried without opposition.

IRB Public Hearing:The Mayor opened the public hearing in regard to the issuance by the City of its Industrial Revenue Bonds (Augusta Hotel, LLC) in the amount of $4.2 million, and in regard to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of property constructed or purchased with the proceeds of such bonds.The public hearing was closed after no one came forward to comment.

S. Jones inquired about the room rate and hotel chain listed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the cost benefit analysis.Raju Sheth stated they use the rack rate of $100 in the cost benefit analysis, but that the average rate is actually closer to $85.Sheth stated the Comfort Inn & Suites is an upgrade from a Best Western.Shaw stated the MOU stated the intentions of both parties in order to keep process moving forward.He stated it is a temporary document that locked down the deal points.He stated the Developer’s agreement and lease purchase agreement is what will legally bind both parties going forward.Jones inquired about where the financing would come from.Sheth stated he will personally guarantee a $2.1M loan at Rose Hill Bank and that the other 50% will be purchased by himself and other investors.

CID Public Hearing:The Mayor opened the public hearing on the advisability of creating a community improvement district (CID) in the City of Augusta, Kansas and undertaking and financing of a certain community improvement district project therein.The public hearing was closed after no one came forward to comment.Malone asked Cowan if the Ordinance is passed and project doesn’t move forward if the CID can be removed.Cowan stated that it could be removed if construction of project doesn’t proceed and the petitioner requests the CID be removed.

Comfort Inn & Suites:Reavis made a motion to approve Resolution 2014-17 determining the advisability of issuing industrial revenue bonds for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and equipping of a commercial facility to be located in Augusta.Childers seconded the motion.Motion carried with Malone and Jones voting in opposition.

Rawlings made a motion to approve Ordinance 2073 creating a community improvement district in the City of Augusta, Kansas; authorizing certain projects therein; approving the estimated costs of such projects; containing the legal description and map of the boundaries of the district; levying a community improvement district sales tax; and approving the method of financing the projects.Childers seconded the motion.Roll Call Vote: Malone Nay, Reavis Yea, Rawlings Yea, Jones Nay, Lowery Yea, Crum Yea, Childers Yea, Belt Yea.Motion carried.

Matters From/For Council:

Resignation:Mayor Kristey Williams read her resignation letter.

Oath of Office:E. Jones administered the Oath of Office to Matt Childers, to fulfill the unexpired term of Mayor Kristey Williams through April 2015.

Childers presented Williams with a plaque and a framed photo of City Hall.

President of the Council:S. Jones made a motion to elect Rawlings as President of the Council. Lowery seconded the motion carried without opposition.

Informational Memorandum and Final Comments:

Reavis:Reavis publicly thanked Williams for her service, dedication and fire she brought to this community.Malone agreed.

Lowery:Lowery commended the utility department for working with community and addressing questions.

Belt:Belt asked if there is an issue with the new trash truck.E. Jones stated it was out of service today but she was unsure why.Shaw stated he would check in to it.

Reavis:Reavis asked if there is any way to double up a route on Friday instead of making them have food in their container for six days.Shaw stated he would visit with staff to see what our options are.He stated we have said previously that we want to take a close look at the holiday schedule because we didn’t want the new process to have a negative impact on the citizens.

Reavis asked that if anyone in Ward 1 is interested in filling Childers’ vacancy to let someone on the Council know.Shaw stated the candidate would be voted on at the next meeting and take office the second meeting in December.

Adjourn:At 8:13 PM Belt made a motion to adjourn.Malone seconded the motion.Motion carried without opposition.